A neat shrub with aromatic foliage and pink buds opening to masses of starry white waxy flowers in winter and spring. A fine cut flower and a fragrant, hardy garden filler.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 2 m H × 1.5 m W
- Aspect: part shade or morning sun and full sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Long-leaf Wax Flower
Botanically, Philotheca myoporoides is a moderate-growing shrub in the Rutaceae family, native to New South Wales and Victoria. It reaches around 2 m tall and 1.5 m wide at maturity, with evergreen and aromatic foliage. White and pink flowers appear in winter and spring.
Where to grow Long-leaf Wax Flower
Long-leaf Wax Flower suits warm-temperate and cool-temperate climates and grows best in part shade or morning sun and full sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also tolerates salt-laden coastal winds.
Soil & planting
Long-leaf Wax Flower does best in free-draining, loamy and sandy soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Long-leaf Wax Flower performs well with relatively little water once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. Keep a newly planted specimen evenly watered through its first season; established plants can then follow the water needs above.
Pruning & care
Prune Long-leaf Wax Flower after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Long-leaf Wax Flower in the garden
Long-leaf Wax Flower earns its place for cut flowers for the vase, its fragrance, a feature or specimen planting and pots and courtyard containers. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
Combine Long-leaf Wax Flower with plants that share its preference for happy on low water and warm-temperate climate. Use an odd-numbered group where space allows, or repeat it at intervals through a longer bed. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Long-leaf Wax Flower
Plant Sale lists Long-leaf Wax Flower as tube stock and potted plants. Current stock is confirmed manually, so register interest above before planning around a specific size.
